The need for critical thinking among children is now!

Everyday children are faced with health claims, some reliable and some not so reliable, but how do we help children see the “fake news” from the credible information? How do we teach our children to develop a critical eye when it comes to all of the information they encounter every day. We think we have the answer… and its a lot of fun!

What is the START Competition?

Every year the world celebrates International Clinical Trials Day on May 20th. This event marks the anniversary of the first well-documented randomised clinical trial which took place in 1747 in the British Navy. The Health Research Board – Trials Methodology Research Network (HRB-TMRN) celebrates this important occasion with the help of the younger members of our community. We invite primary school students in 4th, 5th & 6th classes to lead on an exciting project and create their very own fun randomised clinical trial in the classroom. Primary school students are invited to recreate their very own randomised trial, following the resources provided.

Not only does this competition align with subjects within the primary school curriculum, this competition helps develop critical thinking and has been described by teachers as a new teaching tool.

START can help your students become the scientists of tomorrow, and the critical thinkers of today.

How can schools take part?

Teachers and students are asked to identify a suitable research question they can answer scientifically using the information provided. The purpose of this competition is to help students become aware of the randomised clinical trial process, rather than answering a groundbreaking question. Pick a simple, easy to answer question, but use the proper steps of a clinical trial to answer it.

The best part is that you can report the findings in any way you like, podcast, video, collage or poster, report, it’s up to you to be as creative as you like! The deadline for receipt of completed projects is April 10th 2020.

What can schools win?

The top 3 schools win a unique experience including a trip to NUI Galway on Friday, May 15th, for the awards ceremony where each school will take home a START trophy.

The HRB-TMRN will cover all travel expenses for attending the ceremony and lunch will be provided on the day. Students will enjoy a series of educational, interactive, fun workshops and learn more about clinical research.

START 2018

START 2017

START 2016

The First Randomised Clinical Trial

Learn more about the first Randomised Clinical Trial and Dr James Lind.

Randomisation

Learn more about Randomised Trials

Modern Medicine

What the Industrial Revolution Did for Us

Cloghan’s Hill National School

1st Place START Winners 2017

Scoil Moibhí

2nd Place START Winners 2017

St. Josephs NS Macroom Cork

3rd Place START Winners 2017

Learn more about START

Click here to view our Q&A webinar with Prof. Declan Devane

Extra, Extra… Read all about it…

The Irish Times

Clinical trials: how oranges and lemons ensured we don’t compare apples with oranges

The Irish Times

‘START’ competition lets pupils create clinical trials.

The Irish Times

‘START’ competition introduces pupils to the scientific way of problem solving

Evidently Cochrane Blog 2019

School children in Ireland have run and presented their own randomised trials in the innovative START competition. Here’s what they achieved and why this matters.

The Irish Times

‘START’ competition lets pupils create clinical trials.

The Irish Times

‘START’ competition introduces pupils to the scientific way of problem solving

Past Events

Have a look at previous events

Click here to view the 3 shortlisted entries for 2016, 2017 & 2018. Each shortlisted school received a START trophy and attended a fun interactive day in NUI Galway to meet with people working on randomised clinical trials.

Need Support?

Talk to us today! We have a team of experienced people around the country who are very happy to help you and your class or school take part in START. We can arrange for a visit to your school or chat over the phone to help you.